e gift of a princess.' She put
into his hands a case containing the chain of diamonds with which she
used to decorate her hair. 'To me it is in future useless. The kindness
of my friends has secured me a retreat in the convent of the Scottish
Benedictine nuns in Paris. To-morrow--if indeed I can survive
to-morrow--I set forward on my journey with this venerable sister. And
now, Mr. Waverley, adieu! May you be as happy with Rose as your amiable
dispositions deserve!--and think sometimes on the friends you have lost.
Do not attempt to see me again; it would be mistaken kindness.'

She gave him her hand, on which Edward shed a torrent of tears, and,
with a faltering step, withdrew from the apartment, and returned to
the town of Carlisle. At the inn he found a letter from his law friend,
intimating that he would be admitted to Fergus next morning as soon as
the Castle gates were opened, and permitted to remain with him till the
arrival of the Sheriff gave signal for the fatal procession.

CHAPTER LXIX

--A darker departure is near,
The death-drum is muffled, and sable the bier.
CAMPBELL.

After a sleepless night, the first dawn of morning found Waverley on
the esplanade in front of the old Gothic gate of Carlisle Castle. But he
paced it long in every direction, before the hour when, according to the
rules of the garrison, the gates were opened and the drawbridge lowered.
He produced his order to the sergeant of the guard, and was admitted.

The place of Fergus's confinement was a gloomy and vaulted apartment
in the central part of the Castle--a huge old tower, supposed to be of
great antiquity, and surrounded by outworks, seemingly of Henry VIII's
time, or somewhat later. The grating of the large old-fashioned bars and
bolts, withdrawn for the purpose of admitting Edward, was answered by
the clash of chains, as the unfortunate Chieftain, strongly and heavily
fettered, shuffled along the stone floor of his prison, to fling himself
into his friend's arms.

'My dear Edward,' he said, in a firm, and even cheerful voice, 'this
is truly kind. I heard of your approaching happiness with the highest
pleasure. And how does Rose? and how is our old whimsical friend the
Baron? Well, I trust, since I see you at freedom--And how will you
settle precedence between the three ermines passant and the bear and
bootjack?'

'How, oh how, my dear Fergus, can you talk of such things at such a
moment!'

'Why, we have